Petrified of relationships

Sometimes you've just gotta take a leap of faith.

Find someone you get on with really well. Your personalities align and your senses of humour are similar. I don't think you'll find this sort of person in any bar or club I'm afraid.

You say you're scared of putting your trust in someone. Is this the result of a past experience with a family member?

Yes there are some rubbish people out there, but sometimes you've gotta take a jab in the dark to develop as a person If you're at Uni/College, get chatting with someone who you get on with and takes your fancy. See how things develop from there. It's not a race to get into a relationship, the good ones take time to develop.

Good luck!

everyone I've thought I was 'talking' to turned out to be in a relationship/saw me as a friend/or gay.

it's one thing if you constantly get involved with people and treat them like sh*t (that might make you self destructive or destructive to others) but avoiding relationships itself is different and there's nothing wrong with it. which one are you?

just saying don't feel bad if you don't want to be in a relationship right now; you probably haven't met the right person. when you meet him/her you won't be so scared anymore.

I'd say to counter that, make it clear near the beginning of talking to them that you're pursuing them romantically rather than in a friendly way. That way they'll know for certain you aren't there as a friend or gay.
If they continue to chat to you while being in a relationship... Well then they're the bad person, not you.

You're welcome Good luck. Keep us updated if you make any progress.